Nonclogging stain feed head

ABSTRACT

The present invention is broadly concerned with a staining machine for wood panels and the like, such as plywood panels. The invention is more particularly concerned with a staining apparatus which is equipped with a particular design of a nonclogging feed head for applying the stain to the panels. The stain flows through apertures in a feed pipe onto a spreader plate, thence downwardly on a backplate into a reservoir, and then over a lip of the feed head onto the panel being processed.

324, 300.6 (lnquired); 53/140; 117/1053; ZZZ/(inquired); 239/(Inquired)I United States Patent 13,568,639

[72] Inventor Keith E. Burk [56] References Cited Kal Mich- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS {2% Q1 23 312 5 3,271,184 9/1966 Poletika et al. 1l8/300.6)

Patented Mar. 9,1971 145,972 10/1967 Masulxs (1 l8/300.6) [73] AssigneeU.S. Plyw0od-Champion Papers Inc. m y me -John P. McIntosh New York,N.Y. Att0rneys-1ames M. Hellman and Heilman & Heilman ABSTRACT: Thepresent invention is broadly concerned with a staining machine for woodpanels and the like, such as [54] g:; im FEED HEAD plywood panels. Theinvention is more particularly concerned 12 rawmg with a stainingapparatus which is equipped with a particular [52] U.S. Cl 118/324design of a nonclogging feed head for applying the stain to the B05c5/00 panels. The stain flows through apertures in a feed pipe onto aField of Search 118/300, spreader plate, thence downwardly on abackplate into a reservoir, and then over a lip of the feed head ontothe panel being processed PAIENIEII mm 9 I97I SHEET 1 [IF 2 M l I I l Il l I I I l l I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I l l I IINVENTOR A57 77/ f. 301?:

noncioecrnn STAKN rnnn nnnn The present invention is broadly concernedwith an improved apparatus for applying stain or other surface coatingmaterial in a continuous manner to panels, such as plywood panels. Theinvention is more particularly concerned with a staining apparatus,containing a particularly designed nonclogging head which eliminatesclogging and resulting shutdown of the apparatus.

it is well known in the art to use many types of apparatus and feedheads for applying surface coatings, such as stains, to panels such asplywood panels. However, most of the types of apparatus now in usepresent difficulties in that the feed heads periodically become clogged,necessitating the shutdown of the apparatus with resulting increase inoperating costs. The present apparatus with its unique feeding headeliminates all clogging shutdowns.

The present invention may be readily understood by reference to thedrawings illustrating embodiments of the same.

H6. 1 is a diagrammatical side view of an overall staining apparatus;

MG. 2 is a side view which illustrates in detail the particular feedhead utilized in the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1; while FIG. 3 is aback, or rear, view of the feed head.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1, numeral designates the overallstaining apparatus. Plywood panels 1 are introduced into one end ofstaining apparatus or machine 20. The nonclogging stain feed head isshown positioned at the inlet end of apparatus 10. Panels move intomachine it) from the left-hand side and are gripped initially at stationI by power feed rollers 2 and 3 which are conventionally mounted andsuitably driven. At station ll the stain is applied from thenoncloggable feed head 26. At station lll squeeze rolls 4 and 5 squeezeexcess stain from the panel face as well as help feed the panel onthrough the machine. Suitable means, not shown, are adapted to collectand recover the excess stain which is removed. Station IV comprisesbackup rollers 6 and 7 which further drive the panels through themachine. Station V, comprising rollers 8 and 9, are backup rollersutilizing a conventional reverse rotary brush. This brush is rotated inthe opposite direction to the panel direction and by adjustment againstthe panel face, is used to' remove and give the final dressing to thestain which has been applied to the surface of the panel. The panelsthen pass by rollers ii and i2 comprising station Vi and move on out ofthe machine.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the nonclogging head 20 is illustratedin detail. Left-side vertical end plate 21 in conjunction withtriangularly shaped applicator pour lip 22, bottom plate 23, slantedbackplate 241 and a right side vertical end plate ill, define a bottomstain reservoir 30. A bushing 29 is positioned at the bottom ofreservoir 30 which contains a cleaning plug 31 which can be removed soas to clean the reservoir. A bar 27 extends above the reservoir andpermits the removal of cleaning plug 31 for the removal of excess stainand for cleaning reservoir 30. A stain feed pipe is rigidly attached tobackplate 24 by means of mounting brackets 28. At periodic distancesfeed pipe 25 along its length contains material pour openings 26. Aslanted spreader plate 32 is rigidly attached to pipe 25 is a manner todirect the stain flowing through pour opening 26 onto the backplate 24.Thus, the stain flows through pipe 25, through material pour openings26, onto spreader plates 32, onto backplate 24 and thence into reservoir3%. The stain flows from reservoir over applicator pour lip 22 and ontothe panel being stained. A preferred modification of the head when usingline speeds above about lineal feet per minute is to use spreader fingeron the lip or front face of pour element 22. These spreader fingers aremade attachable and are used when required. These fingers should bespaced apart one-half inch to about 6 inches such as about 1.5 inchesapart.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3 which is a rear view of the head 29,the stain is introduced into one end of pipe 25. The other end of pipe25 is sealed by means of a pipe cap 40. Bushing 29 or drain plug 29 isshown positioned along with bar 27 at one side of reservoir 30. Feedpipe 25 is shown afiixed to backplate 24 by means of mounting brackets28. A plurality of spreader plates 32 are shown positioned below thepour openings in the feed pipe 25.

While the dimensions of the feed head may be varied, one preferred unitis illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the width is about 6 inches and thedepth is about 6 inches. The length may be varied widely as from about 1foot to about 10 feet such as about 4 feet so as to effectively stain a4 foot by 8 foot plywood panel. It is preferred that the lower end ofapplicator lip 22 be below bottom plate 23 such as one-eighth inch toabout one-half inch as, for example, one-fourth inch. The pour openingsin conduit or pipe 25 are from about one-fourth inch to three-fourthinch in diameter such as about one-half inch in diameter. These openingsare spaced about 6 inches to about 18 inches apart such as about 12inches apart. The diameter of pipe 25 is about three-fourth inch toabout 1 V4 inches such as about 1 inch in diameter. The preferred widthof the spreader plates 32 are about 1 inch to about'3 inches as, forexample, about 1 inches in length. These widths are such so as to provide the desired fluid flow gaps between the lower edges of the.spreader plates and the backplate. The length of the respective spreaderplates in FIG. 3 should be about 2 inches to about 6 inches as, forexample, about 3 inches. Each spreader plate is separatedby about l2inches from one another from center to center, depending upon thespacing of the pour openings in conduit 25.

The dimensions of the feed head should not be varied appreciably fromthose given. The width at the base of the feed head if widened wouldhold more solution and would serve no practical purpose. It would alsocause the side effect of requiring more stain for actual operation ofthe machine which is not desirable.

The preferred 6 inch height of the stain feed head is very desirable inthat the end feed pipe is thus mounted high enough to allow the stain toflow smoothly down the back angle plate. This will maintain a still orquiescent pool of staining material at the base of this plate and in thereservoir 30 in the bottom of the feed head, While the foregoingdimensions are preferred, some variations may be made such as plus orminus about 1 inch.

The baclrplate element 24 is at an angle which is critical such as about68 to about 78, preferred about 73 from the horizontal. This angle is ofa magnitude which allows the stain to flow smoothly down the backplateand enter the pool at the bottom in an almost vertical direction. This,as mentioned, secures a relatively still pool of stain in the reservoirat the base of the feed head. If the plate is more closely that of a 45angle, (40 to 50 then the stain will flow into the reservoir of the feedhead at too great an angle and splash out over the feed lip, therebydestroying the ability to control the rate of flow of the stain onto thepanel being processed. If the plate is set more vertical to the basereservoir, the stain will not flow smoothly down the backplate but,rather, runs off the spreader plates, thus causing splashing and againdestroying the ability to maintain an even and desirable rate ofapplication over the pour lip onto the panel being treated.

The spreader plates 32 below the pour openings are also at an angle.These angles, however, are not extremely critical but should preferablybe maintained between about 45 and 30 as, for example, about 37 withrespect to the horizontal for the best possible performance. Since thepurpose of these plates 32 is to spread the stain or solution uniformlyonto the backplate 24 of the feed head, these angles are preferred.

The gaps between the lower edges of the spreader plates and thebackplate are maintained between about one-eighth inch to aboutone-fourth inch such as about threesixteenths inch. This is important tosecure uniform spreading of the solution over the backplate and forgetting an even, smooth flow of the stain into the reservoir of the feedhead.

The depth of the reservoir defined by the bottom plate and theapplicator pour lip is approximately seven-eighths inch to 1 inch indepth. This depth can bevaried from three-fourth inch to 1 inch.However, it should not be shallower than about three-fourth inch. Thisdepth was found by tests to be necessary for the maintenance of therelatively still pool or reservoir of solution in the head. A still poolof solution is necessary in order to maintain good application controlof stain onto the panel.

The triangular pour lip 22 (FIG. 2) of the head is characterized byhaving a front face 15 and a rear face 16 which rear face is one elementdefining the reservoir. As pointed out heretofore, it is preferred thatthe lower edge of front face 15 be below bottom plate 23 such as aboutone-fourth inch. The angle between front face 15 and the horizontal isvery critical and should be maintained between about 50 and 55 such asabout 52. It is this angle that determines the type of curtain orpattern of stain flow off the pour lip 22. The angle between front face15 and rear face 16 should be about 80 to 100, such as about 90. Theangle between rear face 16 and bottom plate 23 is such as to facilitatecleaning and is in the range of about 30 to 50 such as about 35.

The distance from the lower edge of front face 15 of pour lip 22 to thepanel being treated should be about 6 to 16 inches, such as about 8 to12 inches, such as about inches for best performance.

As heretofore mentioned, FIG. 3 is a face view of the applicator headshowing the spreader plates 32 which deflect the stain from the pouropenings 26 in conduit 25 onto the backplate 24 of the head. Thesespreader plates must be discontinuous elements and their purpose is tospread the solution evenly onto the backplate 24. However, if the gapbetween the spreader plates and the backplate becomes clogged, thisdiscontinuous feature will allow the stain to flow out either end of thespreader plate, thus avoiding clogging of the unit while in productionuse. If these spreader plates were a continuous element, the possibilityof clogging would still remain and, therefore, defeat the purpose of thehead.

The overall length of the head is sized to each machine and the centersof the pour openings and spreader plates should be positioned equaldistances apart according to the length of the feed head. For treatingpanels 48 inches in width it is preferred to have three pour holes andthree spreader plates. For heads to handle material larger than 48inches in width, a fourth hole should be added to the feed head toassure continuous and smooth flow of the stain into the reservoir at thebottom of the feed head,

I claim:

1. Apparatus for applying a film coating to a base element whichcomprises in combination, (1) means for passing said base element below;(2) a nonclogging film feed head, said film feed head characterized byhaving; (3) an angular pour lip consisting of; (4) a front face and; (5)a rear face, said rear face forming a reservoir in conjunction with; (6)a horizontal bottom plate; (7) a left vertical sideplate; (8) a rightvertical sideplate and; (9) a backplate extending angularly upwardly andbackwardly from said bottom plate, said backplate having attachedthereto; (10) a film-coating feed conduit having a plurality ofapertures therein at periodic intervals along its longitudinal length,said feed conduit having attached thereto; (1 1) a plurality of spreaderplates positioned below said apertures and extending angularly towardssaid backplate and; 12) means for introducing film coating into saidfeed conduit.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the lower edge of said frontface extends below said bottom plate.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein the angle between said frontface and said bottom plate is in the range between about 50 and about55.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said back plate extendsangularly upwardly and backwardly from said bottom plate at an angle inthe range from about 68 to about 78.

5. Apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said spreader plates are sopositioned as to have gaps exist therein between.

6. Apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said spreader platespositioned below said apertures are at an angle between 30 and 45 withrespect to said bottom late.

7. Apparatus as. defined by claim wherein gaps in the range from aboutone-eighth inch to one-fourth inch exist between the lower edges of saidspreader plates and said backplate.

8. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the length of said conduit isabout 48 inches and. wherein said conduit has three apertures thereinand wherein said conduit has three spreader plates positioned below saidapertures.

9. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein said spreader plates havewidths in the range from about 1 inch to 3 inches and lengths in therange from about 8 inches to 16 inches.

10. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said base element comprisesa plywood element, wherein said means for passing said plywood elementbelow said front face is positioned about 8-16 inches below said frontface.

11. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein; l3 spreader fingers arepositioned on said front face.

12. Apparatus as defined by claim 11 wherein said spreader fingers arepositioned from about one-half inch to about 6 inches apart.

1. Apparatus for applying a film coating to a base element whichcomprises in combination, (1) means for passing said base element below;(2) a nonclogging film feed head, said film feed head characterized byhaving; (3) an angular pour lip consisting of; (4) a front face and; (5)a rear face, said rear face forming a reservoir in conjunction with; (6)a horizontal bottom plate; (7) a left vertical sideplate; (8) a rightvertical sideplate and; (9) a backplate extending angularly upwardly andbackwardly from said bottom plate, said backplate having attachedthereto; (10) a film-coating feed conduit having a plurality ofapertures therein at periodic intervals along its longitudinal length,said feed conduit having attached thereto; (11) a plurality of spreaderplates positioned below said apertures and extending angularly towardssaid backplate and; (12) means for introducing film coating into saidfeed conduit.
 2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the lower edgeof said front face extends below said bottom plate.
 3. Apparatus asdefined by claim 2 wherein the angle between said front face and saidbottom plate is in the range between about 50* and about 55*. 4.Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said back plate extendsangularly upwardly and backwardly from said bottom plate at an angle inthe range from about 68* to about 78*.
 5. Apparatus as defined by claim4 wherein said spreader plates are so positioned as to have gaps existtherein between.
 6. Apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein saidspreader plates positioned below said apertures are at an angle between30* and 45* with respect to said bottom plate.
 7. Apparatus as definedby claim 6 wherein gaps in the range from about one-eighth inch toone-fourth inch exist between the lower edges of said spreader platesand said backplate.
 8. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein thelength of said conduit is about 48 inches and wherein said conduit hasthree apertures therein and wherein said conduit has three spreaderplates positioned below said apertures.
 9. Apparatus as defined by claim8 wherein said spreader plates have widths in the range from about 1inch to 3 inches and lengths in the range from about 8 inches to 16inches.
 10. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said base elementcomprises a plywood element, wherein said means for passing said plywoodelement below said front face is positioned about 8-16 inches below saidfront face.
 11. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein; (13 ) spreaderfingers are positioned on said front face.
 12. Apparatus as defined byclaim 11 wherein said spreader fingers are positioned from aboutone-half inch to about 6 inches apart.